Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 6.5x55 bullet choice (Elk Focused and 200yds max)

Good morning/afternoon,

You have an amazing website and huge resource of information. I have read a lot of threads on 6.5 bullet options and I am hoping for some people to chime in with some first hand experience.

I hunt the thick timber and smaller clear cuts in SE British Columbia...Mountainous and tough hunting. This season I picked up a 6.5x55 and sold my 300wm as I have quickly noticed that an shots at elk will likely be under 200yds, and most likely under 100yrd.

With Elk season over, I need to get a round ready for next year. From research it seems like these are good options:
- 160gr lapua naturalis
- 155gr lapua mega
- 140gr partition
- 130gr barnes ttsx

I have never reloaded but my hunting buddy will be helping me. I have fired of nosler accubonds, so I'll have norma brass to reload with.

I guess my biggest question is in regards to velocities and effective expansion with the above bullets.

My hope is to have any of the above bullets moving at ~2700 ft/s mv.
Based on those speeds, it would seem that the naturalis and ttsx will give me the ability to shoot through shoulders if required...?
Lapua mega seems to be well liked, and the Partition has a big following.

Also: we have a minimum 6pt rule up here so I'll be targeting big boys.


In short: what bullet should I be using to take down 6pt bull elk from within 200yds out from my tikka t3 6.5x55. Should I be focused on penetration? or rapid expansion and damage?

Thank you for any assistance you can give me!!

I have not hunted Elk with my Sweed, but I would not have issue using the 130gr Barnes.

I'd load the 140 partition and not look back. I have killed a couple cow elk with that bullet and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

if 200 yards is your max the 160 round nose Hornady interloc would be great but my #1 choice would be the 140gr Swift Aframe

for elk you want a bullet that will expand some and penetrate through to the vitals.

A quality 140 grainer, and you should be set if you place it where it needs to go...

So I guess an argument would be that the smaller 6.5 bullet that would rapidly expand on a broadside shot would limit your shot options as a shoulder shot on a bull elk might not allow for the penetration required ... ?

Never killed an elk with a 6.5x55 and probably won't.

My Swede loves the 155 gr. Mega; that would be a good one, IMO.

DF

Barnes doesn't make a 130 gr TTSX, but they do make a 120 grainer.

I'd go with the 120 TTSX or 140 NPT, whichever shot better.

Thanks for all your replies.

This is my confusion. I hear the ttsx 130gr would be usable on a bull elk but I haven't seen to many actual accounts of this. Most cases are assumptions that it'll be fine based on experiences on smaller game.

I guess what I want is a bullet that gives me a few more options than just a broadside shot. A bullet that will penetrate, but not shatter and lead to wounding rather than a quick kill. And a bullet that does its job when the velocity is between 1800 to 2500ft/s when impacting the elk.

Sounds like the woodleigh is effective in that range but I have concerns about its structure on large game (based on what I've read). I have concerns that the barnes might not expand well enough at those velocities. The Partition sounds like it continues to be a good option, and the Lapua packs the extra weight that is of interest to me.

I guess I like the idea of the barnes due to increase velocity but I have expansion concerns. The 140gr partition has been effectively used for quite some time but I have wright concerns.... And I desire something like the lapua mega due to the heavier weight but I have concerns about construction or lack the 'forum research confirmation' that it will hold up against a elk ... it also does not have the greatest ballistics.

TOO MANY OPTIONS!!!

Thanks again for passing on your first hand experiences.

You are overthinking this.

If you are limiting your shots to 200 max, then:
1) Unless you're shooting in fairly strong winds the bullets ballistic coefficient (B.C.) doesn't mean jack. You have a basketball sized vitals area as an aiming point and you are not exactly at long range here.
2) While the swede may not be a speed demon, any reasonable load should be well above 1,800 fps at 200 yards.

I have hunted elk with a 6.5x55 and took a factory loaded 140 grain Trophy Bonded Bear Claw. I got a shot, but missed. So my total real world experience here is zero. There are members here, however, who have successfully hunted and taken elk with a 6.5x55 shooting standard cup & core bullets (140 grain Hornady Interlock Soft Points, for instance). I think any of the bullets you listed will work (my pick would be the Barnes 120g TTSX for the extra speed and possibly more reliable expansion over the 130g TSX). Pick one, get the load dialed in, and find an elk to poke it in. Have a sharp knife handy.

But they do make a 127gr LRX. Their version of a long-range TTSX. And of those three choices (120gr / 127gr X and 140gr NPT), I don't think you can go wrong.

I'd use my very accurate load with the 140 gr Partition at 2780 fps powered by RL-22, place it right, and watch him die, Good Luck!

look at the 140 Swift A-frame. When elk are the target animal and especially when its not every year you draw a tag the A-frame is the bullet I trust.



You say 6 point rule. So does that mean 3x3 or at least 6x on one side?

52 gr H1000 will get you just about 2800 fps also with a a 140 gr. Partition. My brother used it to good effect on elk.........

Im using Norma MRP 51grn. and rem 9 1/2 primers with Lapua brass. 3.150oal in the same set up as you. Tikka T3X 6.5x55. its pushing Moly'd 140 partitions and AB/ABLR at 2920fps

The 120 TTSX at 3000 fps is deadly on Newfoundland bull Moose. Don't know about elk.

+1

My Sweed like H4831 and the 130gr AB.

For elk, I'd let my rifle choose between the 140gr AB and the 140 Partition.

Needs to be a 6x on one side.

Thank you. I'll have a good look at the A-frame and availability up here.

So at this point, I'm thinking I should get some mega's and partitions and see how they should.
I know the factory accubonds were/are extremely accurate for me right away. 3 shot group within an inch of each other at 100yds.
Now I need to bump up velocity with a tougher bullet and get that same accuracy.

thank you for the load data. Always interested seeing this info from a person with the same rifle.

for you tikka owners, here were the first 8 shots from my 6.5x55 using factory nosler accubond 140gr.

If I was a betting man, I'd put money on Megas shooting tighter groups than NPT's; mine did. Best two bullets, 139 Scenar and 155 Mega.

But different guns like different bullets.

My Swede is a Shilen/FN in a McWoody Edge Mauser stock.

DF

Looks to me like you could be ready to go hunting.

agreed! Will be on the prowl for a whitie in about 1.5hr from now.

Cool looking stock. I am rocking the Tikka Hunter stock.


I will do my best to remember to follow up with results.
Curious, what load had you mixed up for your 155mega.

I am reloading the Nosler Factory ammo. Was informed that Nosler uses Norma brass, so it sounds like I have a good foundation for the loading.

Take a look at my thread on Lapua Naturalis bullets here in the reloading forum. You might also like to see this video from Lapua

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qqpycNp-Qc&t=220s

6.5X55SE is a great caliber. I remember shooting a gentleman's rifle in this caliber many years ago when I lived in Toronto.

Half inch, 155 Mega over 46.5 H-4831 (surplus powder I bought in the ‘60’s) at around 2,500 FPS. I understand this old powder may be a tad slower than current production H-4831. It smells like new powder, no dust. It performs very well.

I shot quarter and 1/3 MOA groups with 139 Scenar over 47.2 MRP at around 2,650 FPS. 45 gr RL-17 was almost as accurate, still sub MOA, and faster at 2,749.

Those two bullets are the champs in this gun. It’s more finicky than my Shilen 6.5 Creedmoor. But does very well when fed what it likes.

The CM shoots a larger variety of combos sub MOA. The Swede shoots everything under 1.5”, but to a Loony, that’s not Kosher.

The CM likes the new 147 ELD-M, haven’t tried it in the Swede. I hear good reports on terminal performance with that bullet at Swede/Creed speed.

DF

I’d look real hard at the 140gr Hornady Interlock.

It’s the ideal bullet for what you are wanting.

Haven’t found a 6.5mm rifle that won’t shoot them.

I love the way they say “lap-wah”, not “la-poo’-ah” like we do.

Good stuff.

Check out Scenarshooter’s portfolio of dead critters. Impressive.

DF

Thanks for posting the video.

Those bullets look pretty amazing.

I have a Tikka T-3 Hunter and it shoots everything I have tried thus far well. A friend gave me a ancient box of 140 grain Speer flat base spitzers and they shot great. That was my first handload for this rifle.

Next I tried140 grain match bullets shoot, which shot even better. 129 Hornadys shoot into one hole. Somewhere I have a box of 120 grain TSXs which I bought for a Remington Model Seven in 260 which I sold. I bet they shoot, too.

Regarding you "dilemma", I go along with the 140 grain crowd. The 6.5s made their reputation as reliable killers using long and heavy for diameter bullets. That starts around 140 grains. I also have 160 grain Hornadys and 155 grain Lapuas which I haven't tried yet.

A friend swears by the 160 grain Hornady in his Winchester Model 70 Featherweight 6.5x55. He likes the quick kills he has gotten with minimal meat damage and a good blood trail.

The Scandanavians have been killing moose (their elk) for 100 years with the 6.5x55 and they're happy with it. You should be too.

Let us know how it works out.

I'd be interested in how the 155 Mega compares to the 160 Horn and others you try.

DF

My bad TSX.

Saw my niece drop a big cow moose at approximately 100 yards with the 120 TSX , quartering on shot.

Punched through bone, took out the top of the heart , broke 2 ribs on the off side. Dropped faster than any moose I’ve seen. Would not hesitate to use it . Or a good 140 grain , including Hornady

My thoughts, worth what you paid for them 😃

My GF used my swede this year to shoot a lrge cow moose at about 100 yards. Quartering away on the run. 130 gr handloaded accubond.


We found it on the far side under the hide. Moose went slowy 100 yards and lay down.


I think all your choices are good, but would recommend the accubond or partition.

Thanks everyone. I'm thinking the partition and mega will be the experiment. The hornady round nose was mentioned but I'd likely just buy it in the factory.

Now for the evolution of the thread.... WHAT Powder...

I've seen 4831sc, 4350, and the mrp/rl mentioned quite frequently.
While I have the eyeballs of experienced users, what is the recommended powder to push both bullets. In this thread I have seen some loads...curious to know if both bullets of different weights can be pushed effectively with the same powder or if different powders are recommended.

I'm running the 142 gr Nosler LR Accubond in my Swede and in my 264 WM. In the Swede ( a Model 70 w/ a Pac-nor 22" barrel) I'm using 45.5 g IMR4350 for 2810 fps. Groups are .3-.33 5 shots.

The 142 LRAB is a bit 'softer' than the accubond, opening down to lower speeds. I've only ever recovered one and that one was from the 264 and had traveled through 5' or so of an elk. I did use the 142 to take a medium sized axis with drt results.

The Hornady 160 RN is a fine bullet and shoots remarkably in a sporterized 96 I have with 7.8 twist. The 155 has brought down lots of moose in Finland, Sweden, Norway, etc. I have some 160 Woodleighs (another no BS top notch bullet) but have not loaded them yet. If you want to go with the heavier bullets, give them a try. The Hornady RN 160's can be difficult to find sometimes - PM me if you need some help finding some.

I bought two boxes of Hornady 160s when MidwayUSA had them. I also bought a box or two of the Megas. Haven't shot any of them yet as the 140s and 129s shoot so well.

Because you'll likely not be shooting beyond 200yds you need not worry about which bullet is the most accurate just pick a tried and trued one. And, in my not so humble opinion that would be the 140gr Nos. Partition because I don't like surprises. If it could be cold during your hunt, pick a powder that's temperature insensitive such as H4831. One last suggestion, because you'll be hunting thick stuff shoot to break the animal down if you can. Good Luck!

Agreed
Actually the 140 Partition is quite accurate in my Wife's (2) 6.5 rifles, a Swedish Mauser 6.5x55 and a Ruger Predator Creed, both easily under 1" and both have driven a 140 through an Elk's shoulder, I see no need to use another bullet.